By: DAVID RICE
Re: New Look at an Old Earth

A New Look at an Old Earth

What the Creation Institutes Are Not Telling You About Genesis.
By Don Stoner, With a Foreword by Dr. Hugh Ross

Copyright (C) 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1991, 1992, 1996,
Donald Wayne Stoner. All rights reserved. ISBN
1-881446-00-X, First Paperback Edition: July 1992, Last
Revision March 22, 1996.

Cover design: Chris Michika, Earth photo courtesy of NASA

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL
VERSION. (C) 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used
by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.  Unless otherwise
designated, all Biblical references in this book are from the
New International Version (N.I.V.). "K.J.V." is used to indicate
the King James Version and "N.A.S." for the New American
Standard version.

Please send e-mail comments to: spiano@IX.netcom.com

Table of Contents

     Acknowledgements

     Foreword by Dr. Hugh Ross

     Chapter 1: Judging Ourselves First - (An Important First
     Step. Explains the Reason For This Book)

     Chapter 2: Science, Theology and Truth - (Explains the
     Method Used in This Book and Why it is Correct.)

     Chapter 3: The Present Day Stumbling Block - (Examines the
     Most Common Young-Earth Arguments)

     Chapter 4: Missing the Obvious - (Detailed Presentation of
     One Old-Earth Argument, 52K file)

     Chapter 5: The Testimony of Many Witnesses - (Examines
     Scientific Arguments for Both Sides, 66K file)

     Chapter 6: Understanding Genesis Chapter One - (Presents an
     Old-Earth Understanding, 103K file)

     Summary of Genesis 1 - (Genesis 1, N.I.V. and Scientific
     Summary in Parallel Columns)

     Chapter 7: Repairing the Damage - (Suggests Action to
     Correct Our Situation)

     Wisdom's Call - Proverbs 8 - (Contains an Interesting
     Parallel to Genesis 1)

     Appendices

     Bibliography

     Scriptural Index & Topical Index

Acknowledgements

There are too many people - scientists and theologians, old
earthers and young earthers - who have helped with this project
to list them all here; and I fear I may forget someone if I try;
still, I would like to make one mention: It is the intent that
this book be comprehensible to a tired mother of five at 11:00
P.M. at the end of a hard day. I would like to thank my wife
Debbie for providing the feedback to make this goal possible.

Foreword By Dr. Hugh Ross,
President, Reasons to Believe

Home page: http://www.reasons.org/reasons
E-mail: ReasonsTS@aol.com

James, the brother of Jesus, in addressing the council at
Jerusalem declared, "It is my judgement, therefore, that we
should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to
God (Acts 15:19)." The apostle Paul in his letter to the Romans
said, "Make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or
obstacle in your brother's way (Romans 14:13)." Don Stoner
challenges us in the following pages to remove a great
impediment to the furtherance of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Instead of focusing on the now overwhelming evidence for the God
of the Bible and on the complete accuracy of His Word, many
within Christendom would have us discount this potent new
evidence, all for the sake of clinging to the rather peripheral
(to the Gospel) dogma of a recently-created universe.

This digression has effectively inoculated a large segment of
secular society against taking seriously the call to faith in
Christ. It also has divided the Christian community into hostile
camps that focus more energy on attacking each other than on
reaching nonbelievers. Worse yet, the nation's courts have come
to perceive age as the central issue for the creation/evolution
debate. Thus, a pretext has been provided - the lack of
credibility for a thousands-of-years-old universe - for removing
the Bible and the concept of creation from public education.

As Mr. Stoner emphasizes, science is man's attempt to interpret
the facts of nature, while theology is man's attempt to
interpret the words of the Bible. God created the universe and
also is responsible for the words of the Bible. Since He is
incapable of lying or deceit, there can be no contradiction
between the words of the Bible and the facts of nature. Any
conflict between science and theology must be attributable to
human misinterpretation. Such conflicts should be welcomed, not
feared or battled, for they point the way to further research
and study that could resolve the apparent discrepancies.

Historically such resolutions have not only born the fruit of
bringing warring parties to peace and fellowship but also
provided new tools for winning souls for Christ. It is in this
spirit that this book is written, and it is in this spirit that
I hope this book will be read.

About The Author

Don Stoner was introduced to the controversy surrounding Genesis
in the second grade when he came home from school and asked his
father why he was taught in Sunday school that the earth was
created in six days and in elementary school that it was
created[sic] over a much greater period of time.  Fortunately,
answers were available; his grandfather, Peter W. Stoner, was
the author of Science Speaks, a best seller on the subject of
scientific proof of the inerrancy of prophecy and the Bible.
The subject has fascinated Don since and over the years he has
himself become an authority on the subject of creation.

Don went on to receive his BS in Physics and has been awarded
two U.S. patents. Two of the more notable projects he has been
involved with professionally include the development of the
optical disc and the Precision Motion Chiptester. Don has a wife
Debbie, four daughters and one son.

Responses to A New Look at an Old Earth

"I wish to congratulate Don Stoner for his courage and
compassion in producing this excellent work.  Courage because,
though accurate, his views run contrary to popular
fundamentalist dogma.  Compassion because he cares for
intelligent people who have experienced unbearable tension
straddling scientific discovery and young earth theories
produced by people who claim there is only one way to interpret
the biblical data - their way. As Roman Catholic Cardinals were
afraid to look into Galileo's telescope for fear of what they
might discover, some closed-minded Christians may choose not to
take a look at A New Look at an Old Earth. But those who do look
are likely to find an important truth about our universe."

     Chuck Smith Jr., Sr. Pastor, Calvary Chapel of Capo Beach

"Your book changed my life. I can never thank you enough for
what you have done. If anyone tells you that it doesn't matter
what the church teaches about the age of the earth, tell them
that it matters to me and to all the people who won't listen to
the gospel because they think that you must reject science to be
a Christian. It is important."

     Guy Macon, Electronics Consultant

"A New Look at an Old Earth is a vital resource for students
today. Its thesis encourages students to think analytically and
brings understanding between the discrepancies of modern science
and traditional interpretations of the Genesis account."

     John Atkinson, Pastor, Calvary Chapel of North Long Beach,
and President, of National Association Released Time Christian
Education (800) 360-7943

"As a committed believer that the Bible is God's revelation to
man, I can see no reason to believe that the days of Genesis 1
are of only 24-hour duration as measured by our clocks (2 Peter
3:8).  Mr. Stoner's A New Look at an Old Earth, in my opinion,
is a credible resolution of an age old problem which is both
scientifically sound and faithful to the Word of God."

     C. Davis Weyerhaeuser

"In the book, he presents evidence and arguments showing that
the 'young-earth position is incompatible with the scientific
evidence which God's creation provides' ... Advocates of the
young-earth position may not be convinced by Stoner's arguments
against their view and his arguments for the old-earth position,
but they need to read his book."

     Dr. John A. Witmer, Archivist, Dallas Theological Seminary

"A Welcome change indeed from the usual argumentative offerings
in this field. This book is a good first step toward bringing
the two communities of science and theology together in what
must be a unified search, if we are to understand our
beginnings. This is the best book I have seen for that purpose,
and I sincerely congratulate its author and publisher."

     Dr. Ronald E. Cottle, President, Christian Life School of
Theology and Seminary

"By acting ignorantly concerning the age of the earth,
Christians have lost credibility in the scientific community. In
this book, the major arguments from creation scientist
literature asserting a young earth Biblical interpretation are
addressed in a simple and logical manner which will enable the
reader to draw his own enlightened conclusions concerning this
issue. This book should be read by all Christians, but
especially those who are interested in reconciling the Bible
with scientific fact.

"On a personal level, Don was the first Christian I met who was
able to help me harmonize what I learned in my secular
scientific training (while a non-Christian) with my study of
God's Word (once I accepted Christ). Throughout the years of
prayer, research and discussions that went into this book, Don's
efforts have been consistently devoted to reaching fellow
Christians, especially scientists, in a Spirit of love and
brotherhood."

     William J. Schell, Ph.D.,Director, Technology Development,
Hoechst Celanese Corporation

Scriptural Index & Topical Index

The paperback edition of this book includes indices for hundreds
of Scriptural and topical references. Although the indices have
not been converted to hypertext, they are available in the
paperback edition. The paperback is a stand-alone portable unit
which can be marked up with a tool as simple as a pencil; it is
available from Christian bookstores (order through Spring Arbor
Distributors if not in stock) or directly from Schroeder
Publishing.  Suggested retail price: $9.95 U.S.

Schroeder Publishing Company,
13119 Downey Ave.,
Paramount, CA
90723.

Voice: (310) 923-2311
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E-mail: spiano@IX.netcom.com

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... Blasphemy is the bulwark of religious rejudice.
* Shy.David@EdenBBS.com
--- Silver Xpress Mail System 5.4H1
 * Origin: "She blinded me with science!" (1:124/9005)